UNCRC

This is a simplified version of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the official version can be found here. It has been signed by 191 countries. The convention has 54 articles in total. Articles 43 – 54 are about how governments and international organisations will work to support children’s rights.

The Convention operates on 4 guiding principles: non-discrimination; right to life, survival, and development; doing what is in the best interest of the child; and meaningfully engaging children and youth. Click here to download the UNCRC in child and youth friendly language.

Article 1Everyone under 18 has all these rights.

Article 2You have the right to protection against discrimination. This means that nobody can treat you badly because of your colour, sex or religion, if you speak another language, have a disability, or are rich or poor.

Article 3All adults should always do what is best for you.

Article 4You have the right to have your rights made a reality by the government.Article 5You have the right to be given guidance by your parents and family.

Article 6You have the right to life.

Article 7You have the right to have a name and a nationality.

Article 8You have the right to an identity.

Article 9You have the right to live with your parents, unless it is bad for you.

Article 10If you and your parents are living in separate countries, you have the right to get back together and live in the same place.

Article 11You should not be kidnapped.

Article 12You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously.

Article 13You have the right to find out things and say what you think, through making art, speaking and writing, unless it breaks the rights of others.

Article 14You have the right to think what you like and be whatever religion you want to be, with your parents’ guidance.

Article 15You have the right to be with friends and join or set up clubs, unless this breaks the rights of others.

Article 16You have the right to a private life. For instance, you can keep a diary that other people are not allowed to see.

Article 17You have the right to collect information from the media – radios, newspapers, television, etc – from all around the world. You should also be protected from information that could harm you.

Article 18You have the right to be brought up by your parents, if possible.

Article 19You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated.

Article 20You have the right to special protection and help if you can’t live with your parents.

Article 21You have the right to have the best care for you if you are adopted or fostered or living in care.

Article 22You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee. A refugee is someone who has had to leave their country because it is not safe for them to live there.

Article 23If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you have the right to special care and education to help you develop and lead a full life.

Article 24You have a right to the best health possible and to medical care and to information that will help you to stay well.

Article 25You have the right to have your living arrangements checked regularly if you have to be looked after away from home.

Article 26You have the right to help from the government if you are poor or in need.

Article 27You have the right to a good enough standard of living. This means you should have food, clothes and a place to live.

Article 28You have the right to education.

Article 29You have the right to education which tries to develop your personality and abilities as much as possible and encourages you to respect other people’s rights and values and to respect the environment.

Article 30If you come from a minority group, because of your race, religion or language, you have the right to enjoy your own culture, practice your own religion, and use your own language.

Article 31You have the right to play and relax by doing things like sports, music and drama.

Article 32You have the right to protection from work that is bad for your health or education.

Article 33You have the right to be protected from dangerous drugs.

Article 34You have the right to be protected from sexual abuse.

Article 35No one is allowed to kidnap you or sell you.

Article 36You have the right to protection from of any other kind of exploitation.

Article 37You have the right not to be punished in a cruel or hurtful way.

Article 38You have a right to protection in times of war. If you are under 15, you should never have to be in an army or take part in a battle.

Article 39You have the right to help if you have been hurt, neglected, or badly treated.

Article 40You have the right to help in defending yourself if you are accused of breaking the law.

Article 41You have the right to any rights in laws in your country or internationally that give you better rights than these.

Article 42All adults and children should know about this convention. You have a right to learn about your rights and adults should learn about them too.